Modesto, CA to Salt Lake City, UT Movers (NEW 2026 Costs)
Quick answer: Moving from Modesto to Salt Lake City typically costs $2,600–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home (about 721 miles). Use our moving cost calculator below to get an instant estimate.
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Cost to move from Modesto to Salt Lake City
Moving from Modesto, CA to Salt Lake City, UT typically costs $2,600–$6,200 with full-service movers for a 2–3 bedroom home.
The price ranges below are estimates for a 721-mile move from Modesto to Salt Lake City, based on moveBuddha pricing data as of Mar 20, 2026. Pricing is updated monthly to reflect seasonality and market changes.
Studio / 1 bedroom
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2-3 bedrooms
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4+ bedrooms
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Recent moving quotes for similar moves
- North American Van Lines recently quoted $5,604 for a 4 bedroom using professional movers.
- Safeway Moving recently quoted $2,713 for a 1 bedroom (small) using professional movers.
- Mayzlin Relocation recently quoted $4,236 for a 3 bedroom using professional movers.
4 Bedrooms
Feb 26, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Jan 28, 2026
3 Bedrooms
Jan 25, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 23, 2026
Studio apartment
Jan 20, 2026
5+ Bedrooms
Jan 20, 2026
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 18, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 16, 2025
1 Bedroom (small)
Dec 16, 2025
2 Bedrooms
Dec 14, 2025
Factors that impact moving costs from Modesto to Salt Lake City
Your total cost will depend on:
- The size of your move: Costs rise with more belongings. A small one-bedroom move can start at $1,800, but larger homes can run up to $9,400.
- Seasonal timing: Demand peaks in summer — expect premium rates during moving season in Modesto.
- Whether you hire pros or do it yourself: Choosing DIY with a truck ($600–$1,500) is cheaper, though tougher, than using movers.
Moving the opposite route? We got you covered with our moving from Salt Lake City, UT to Modesto, CA guide.
Best Modesto to Salt Lake City movers by type
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Best professional movers from Modesto to Salt Lake City
For a stress-free interstate move from Modesto to Salt Lake City, selecting a full-service mover is a wise choice. These professionals cover all aspects of the move, freeing you to focus on the excitement of your new adventure.
Want a deeper breakdown of the top long-distance movers? See our best interstate movers guide.
- Safeway Moving: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- American Van Lines: 4.9 out of 5 stars
- Allied Van Lines: 4.2 out of 5 stars
- Mayzlin Relocation: 4.8 out of 5 stars
- North American Van Lines: 4.8 out of 5 stars
Best overall value
How we chose the best CA→UT movers
Our team at moveBuddha evaluated moving rates from 372 California moving companies, highlighting the top options based on client feedback, reviews, and pricing.
- Customer satisfaction (40%): Services are delivered promptly, with excellent communication, and at the cost initially quoted.
- Dispute resolution (20%): Problems sometimes come up during moves. We favor companies that admit faults and focus on making things right for the customer.
- Industry reputation (15%): Known for its positive standing, the company is respected in the moving industry and contributes through conferences and memberships.
- Online reputation (15%): The company maintains a professional website with accurate information and responds to online customer inquiries promptly and courteously.
- Service options (10%): Movers that offer a wide range of services — from packing and storage to specialty handling and fast delivery — rank higher in our evaluations.
Here is our full moving company rating methodology.
What to know before moving from Modesto to Salt Lake City
Many movers find Salt Lake City easier on the wallet than Modesto - roughly 6% less for singles and 19% less for families.
Monthly basics average $2,172 for one person in Salt Lake City versus $2,312 in Modesto. For a family of four, it's $4,827 compared with $5,946.
See the cost breakdown below to pinpoint where the savings add up:
| Modesto | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Average 1 BR rent | $1,446 | $1,618 |
| Average 3 BR rent | $2,467 | $2,727 |
| Average home value | $442,362 | $549,528 |
| Average income (per capita) | $67,011 | $63,975 |
| Cost of living (single) | $2,312 | $2,172 |
| Cost of living (family of four) | $5,946 | $4,827 |
| Unemployment rate | 8.0% | 3.0% |
| Sales tax | 8.88% | 7.75% |
| State income tax | 13.3% | 4.95% |
- Experience a potentially easier financial adjustment with rent being about 17% lower in Salt Lake City than in Modesto, giving you more disposable income monthly.
- Be sure to budget for a higher monthly mortgage payment, as home prices are about 24% higher in Salt Lake City than in Modesto.
- The average income in Salt Lake City and Modesto is quite similar, within about 5%, so your finances should remain fairly stable.
- Anticipate lower daily expenses, including food, gas, and utilities in Salt Lake City, where the cost of living for a single person is 6% less than in Modesto.
- Moving to Salt Lake City could be an economically beneficial choice, reducing your family's regular costs such as groceries, transport, and utilities. The cost of living for a family is 19% less than in Modesto.
- Salt Lake City experiences an unemployment rate that is about 63% lower than that of Modesto. This is generally a positive sign for those considering a move here, as it reflects a healthy economy.
- Sales taxes are 13% lower in Salt Lake City than in Modesto. If you have a larger family or higher consumption habits, the lower sales tax in Salt Lake City can reduce your overall living expenses.
- Income taxes are 63% lower in Utah compared to California. With these reduced income tax rates, your paycheck will reflect more of your earnings, allowing you greater freedom in managing your finances.
The breakdown below shows how typical living costs and monthly expenses line up when comparing Modesto with Salt Lake City:
| Living Expense | Modesto | Salt Lake City |
|---|---|---|
| Basic utilities | $229.35 | $183.16 |
| Cell phone plan | $62.91 | $67.42 |
| Dozen eggs | $5.67 | $4.28 |
| Loaf of bread | $3.61 | $3.36 |
| Fast-food/casual eatery (one meal) | $15.00 | $19.00 |
| Dinner for 2 (mid-range restaurant) | $80.00 | $82.50 |
| Gym membership | $41.33 | $27.89 |
- Basic utilities tend to be more expensive in Modesto than in Salt Lake City.
- Cell phone plans are cheaper in Modesto than in Salt Lake City.
- Eggs cost more in Modesto than in Salt Lake City.
- Bread is more expensive in Modesto than in Salt Lake City.
- A quick meal is cheaper in Modesto than in Salt Lake City.
- A mid-range dinner for two costs less in Modesto than in Salt Lake City.
- Gym memberships cost more in Modesto than in Salt Lake City.
How life is different in Modesto vs. Salt Lake City
| Modesto | Salt Lake City | |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,464 | 200,133 |
| Transportation score | 5 | 8 |
| Walkability score | 48 | 59 |
| Bike friendliness score | 48 | 74 |
| Crime index | 65.76 | 34.64 |
| Safety index | 34.24 | 65.36 |
| Air quality | Moderate | Good |
- Salt Lake City's population is about 8% less than Modesto.
- Salt Lake City's public transportation score of 8 out of 10 is higher than Modesto's score of 5.
- Salt Lake City is more walkable than Modesto with a score of 59 out of 100 vs Modesto's 48 out of 100.
- With a score of 74 out of 100, Salt Lake City is more bike-friendly than Modesto, which has a score of 48 out of 100. The higher a city's score, the more suited it is to safely accommodating cyclists.
- Salt Lake City's crime rate is lower than Modesto with a score of 34.64 compared to Modesto's 65.76. This means that Salt Lake City neighborhoods are safer than 34.64% of all U.S. neighborhoods, and Modesto neighborhoods are safer than 65.76%.
- Salt Lake City is considered to be safer than Modesto with a safety index of 65.36 vs Modesto's 34.24.
- Air quality in Salt Lake City is Good, and in Modesto it's Moderate.
Other things to consider for your Modesto to Salt Lake City move
- HOA rules: It's a good idea to look into your HOA or community regulations before moving day arrives.
- Elevator reservation: Reserve elevator access early if your building requires it, to avoid delays on moving day.
- Truck parking permits: Some cities require parking permits for large vehicles and moving trucks. Find out if you need any parking permits ahead of time.
- State licensing: Although a local license is not required in Utah, make sure the moving company you’ll be hiring is registered with U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). To verify if you’re dealing with a legal and licensed mover, you may ask them their USDOT registration number. Double-check that the moving company is properly licensed before you hire them.
- State regulator: You can verify a Utah moving company's license by visiting the state's public utilities commission.
- Moving Permits: While Utah doesn't mandate moving permits, checking local parking guidelines before your move-in day is still a good idea.
- Change of address: File your USPS change of address about a week before moving so mail reaches Salt Lake City smoothly. Start the process here.
- Moving company insurance: Every state requires moving companies to carry different levels of insurance. In Utah, movers commonly offer Released Value Protection at no extra cost, providing coverage at 60 cents per pound. To increase protection, consider discussing Full Value Protection options with the moving company.
- Moving checklist: Use our moving checklist to stay on top of every detail and reduce last-minute stress.
Where to live in Salt Lake City
Now that you've chosen The Crossroads of the West as your next home, here are a few of the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City to check out.
Best neighborhoods for singles
- Capitol Hill
- Central City
- East Bench
- Greater Avenues
- Sugar House
- Wasatch Hollow
- Yalecrest
Best neighborhoods for families
- East Bench
- Greater Avenues
- Liberty Wells
- Sugar House
- Yalecrest
Things to do in Salt Lake City
After getting comfortable in your new Utah home, it's time to see what Salt Lake City is all about. Whether you're into food, art, nature, or nightlife — there's plenty to check out:
- Arts and culture: From historic museums to vibrant art centers, Salt Lake City offers cultural landmarks like the Natural History Museum of Utah, Clark Planetarium, Wheeler Historic Farm, and Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
- Outdoor recreation: The city's Big Cottonwood Canyon, Red Butte Garden, Temple Square, and Liberty Park — among other sites — are great places to hike, ride bikes, or just enjoy nature.
- Sports: Grab a seat and root for the home team during an Salt Lake Bees (Pacific Coast League)Utah Jazz (NBA)Utah Utes (Pac-12)Westminster Griffins (RMAC) game.
FAQ
When is the best time to move from Modesto to Salt Lake City?
The most budget-friendly and comfortable times to move from Modesto to Salt Lake City are in the spring or fall, when the weather is mild and moving rates in Modesto are lower.
When is the cheapest time to move from Modesto to Salt Lake City?
Because spring and fall moves from Modesto to Salt Lake City are so common, winter can be a great time to move if you're looking for lower prices. Read our moving discounts guide to see how.
How long does a move from Modesto to Salt Lake City take?
A move of 721 miles from Modesto, CA to Salt Lake City, UT generally takes one to six days. Movers in Modesto sometimes provide expedited service, while storage in Salt Lake City is a good fallback if you need extra time.
Which movers in Modesto offer piano or antique moving?
Some moving jobs call for extra care and expertise. 10 movers in Modesto have the skills and equipment for piano transport. 5 specialize in safely moving antiques. Across CA, there are 298 piano movers and 229 antique movers, while nationwide the numbers reach 2,294 and 1,462.
Because not every mover offers these services, ask about specialty experience and insurance coverage when you request quotes.
